Stepfather wanting to adopt

[Bricktop]

First off hello.

I live in Ohio if that is of interest and I have a preemptive question in regard to my stepdaughter.

I have been with her mother, my wife, for 13 years now, and throughout the entire time, her Mom, my wife, has had full custody with visitations whenever the biological father wanted. Over the years the father has become a deadbeat Dad racking up over $9000 in back child support, and to give an idea of how long that has been, he is supposed to pay $52 every two weeks.

My 15 year old stepdaughter, my wife and myself would all like for me to be able to adopt her, as over these last 13 years, there is no question that I have been her real father. We have not approached her biological father about this yet, but will soon. If he does not want to relinquish rights over her, do I have any options other than wait until she is 18 and then adopt her?

Thank you for any information you can give me.

Bricktop

 

[seniorjudge]

Q: If he does not want to relinquish rights over her, do I have any options other than wait until she is 18 and then adopt her?

A: Depending on what the father has done, there may be a way to get his parental rights terminated in an adoption lawsuit. You must hire a lawyer to look over your possible case.

 

[Bricktop]

I thought that may be the case. I suppose we will see what becomes of our discussion with the father. If things don't go the way we want, I may be back with questions about a referral.

Thank you,
Bricktop